Page 65 of Till Death Do Us Part

“Did she tell you I was at the museum’s holiday party?”

“Dr. Corvo did. He thought I might want to meet some of your co-workers.”

Isabella and Babbo were tag teaming now. And Babbo probably wanted him to meet my coworkers so maybe he would reconsider his stance on me working. Maybe Babbo didn’t want us to have a major fight over it after we were married.

“Trying to sell you on the idea of me working?” I didn’t realize how much of a protective stance I’d taken until the tension in my arms started to burn through the frigid cold. I’d crossed them.

“We’re getting married, Roma.” The words flowed so easily from his lips. “You’re going to be my wife. I have a right to your life.”

It hit me in that moment how big of a deal this was. This man thought we were getting married. He’d already claimed me. He thought he had a right to my life and the decisions I made and would make.

“Look.” He ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame it. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable at the museum. I didn’t mean to insult you by suggesting you quit your job. I don’t want to fight. We’re not even married yet.”

“Do you really want to marry me, Jack? You don’t even know me.”

He looked at me like I’d spoken a different language, but he’d gotten the gist of it. “I have a confession to make. I knew who you were when my dad suggested the idea to me. I knew you’d won Miss Illinois. I always thought you were beautiful. I’d gone to Jupiter the night you were attacked because I knew you were going to be there. I watched you dance and knew you were the one. I agreed before that night, but after, I couldn’t wait to talk to you and spend time with you. Even if you are somewhat intimidating.” He smiled.

No, no, no,nooo. It was easy to dislike him when I thought he was trying to run my life, but his honesty was endearing, and it made me feel bad. Not bad enough to want to marry him, but sorry that he’d gotten caught up in a no-win situation.

He placed his wool hat over his heart. “I’m not that bad, right?”

I couldn’t help it. I smiled at him.

“Right?” He leaned into me some but didn’t touch me. “Dr. Cupid made a good match.”

“Dr. Cupid?”

He grinned. “Dr. Corvo. My old man calls him that. Says he could make a fortune in the matchmaking business. He’s good at it.”

I went to respond but closed my mouth on a snap. Felice had come to stand next to Jack and slapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Of all the places in Chicago, I run into my good uncle. Hello, Uncle Jack.” His tone was genial, but there was something underneath it that made my blood run cold. He tipped his hat to me. “Evening, Ms. Corvo. Such a beautiful smile you have. Lucky the man who’s the recipient of it.”

What was with that?Lucky the man who’s the recipient of it.He sounded like some gent from a different era.I wanted to give him a mean look, but I didn’t want Jack to see it and realize how comfortable we were with each other. I left it at a nod.

Jack shrugged him off and came to stand beside me. I took a step to the side because I didn’t want Jack to touch me. If he did, things would go from bad to worse. My stomach made an obnoxious noise, and the cold hit me like I was naked out in it. Nerves.

“This is a private office party, John.” Jack stuck his hands in his pockets. “You can see yourself out.”

Jack’s three friends came to stand around us. I wondered if he started carting them around after he got whacked with the stone dinosaur.

Cassio came to stand next to Felice. Two other guys I didn’t recognize, along with Celso, flanked him on the other side. They made Jack’s friends look like kids.

Felice lifted his arm, pulling his coat back to expose his watch. It was a vintage Patek Philippe. It had belonged to his great-grandfather. I’d seen it at the penthouse. “Rooftop is ours now. But I’d hate to run you off. How about a friendly game before you go?”

“You?” Jack scoffed. “Going to play a friendly game? There’s not a game you play that you don’t manipulate. Guess you can’t help it, though. That’s all part of your business. It’s what you do.”

Felice smiled, and it came too easy. Like when things are going too good and it’s only a matter of time before the shoe drops. “I don’t need to manipulate games, Jack. Because I make the rules.”

Jack didn’t have a comeback for that. It seemed to piss him off. His face turned as stony as Felice’s usually was. It grew tighter when he looked at me. He was embarrassed that I’d been watching the entire exchange, and Felice had one-upped him. I didn’t think it was wise for him to compete with Felice. He was out of his league.

Hayden cleared the air when he shouted, “Time’s up! But I could play this all night!”

Felice glanced at Hayden, then met Jack’s eyes again. “One game. We can make a wager. And we’re on even ground. I didn’t make the rules of this game. It just comes down to who’s the better player.”

Jack seemed hesitant. He looked at me again, then nodded. “All right. What’s the wager?”

“Lady’s choice.” Felice looked right at me.

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